Inga edulis

Inga edulis is a tropical fruit tree native to South America. It is commonly known as the Ice Cream Bean tree due to the sweet, ice cream-like flavor of its fruit. The tree is a member of the Fabaceae family and is widely cultivated for its edible fruit and as an ornamental tree.

Description

The Inga edulis tree can grow up to 15 meters in height. It has pinnate leaves and produces clusters of white flowers. The fruit is a long, bean-like pod, which can reach up to 1 meter in length. Inside the pod, the seeds are surrounded by a sweet, white pulp that is the edible part of the fruit.

Cultivation

Inga edulis is a fast-growing tree that prefers tropical climates. It is often grown in home gardens and on small farms in its native South America, as well as in other tropical regions around the world. The tree is tolerant of poor soil conditions and can be used in agroforestry systems to improve soil fertility.

Uses

The sweet pulp of the Inga edulis fruit is often eaten fresh or used in desserts. The seeds can also be roasted and eaten. In addition to its use as a food source, the tree is also used for timber and as a shade tree in coffee and cacao plantations.

See also

• List of culinary fruits
• Tropical agriculture